Continental Congress Thanksgiving Proclamation
(1782)

IT being the indispensable duty of
all Nations, not only to offer up their supplications to ALMIGHTY
GOD, the giver of all good, for his gracious assistance in a time of
distress, but also in a solemn and public manner to give him praise for
his goodness in general, and especially for great and signal
interpositions of his providence in their behalf: Therefore the United
States in Congress assembled, taking into their consideration the many
instances of divine goodness to these States, in the course of the
important conflict in which they have been so long engaged; the present
happy and promising state of public affairs; and the events of the war,
in the course of the year now drawing to a close; particularly the
harmony of the public Councils, which is so necessary to the success of
the public cause; the perfect union and good understanding which has
hitherto subsisted between them and their Allies, notwithstanding the
artful and unwearied attempts of the common enemy to divide them; the
success of the arms of the United States, and those of their Allies, and
the acknowledgment of their independence by another European power,
whose friendship and commerce must be of great and lasting advantage to
these States:----- Do hereby recommend to the inhabitants of these
States in general, to observe, and request the several States to
interpose their authority in appointing and commanding the observation
of THURSDAY the twenty-eight day of NOVEMBER next, as a day of solemn
THANKSGIVING to GOD for all his mercies: and they do further
recommend to all ranks, to testify to their gratitude to GOD for his
goodness, by a cheerful obedience of his laws, and by promoting, each in
his station, and by his influence, the practice of true and undefiled
religion, which is the great foundation of public prosperity and
national happiness.

Done in Congress, at Philadelphia, the eleventh day of October, AD
1782.